skinner



Nov. 29, 1927. 1,650,775

R. L- SKINNER AIPARATUS FOR PURIFYING LUBRICATING GIL Filed Aura. 9. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nova 29, 1927.,

R. L. SKINNER APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING LUBRICATING OIL 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Filed Au. 9). 1924 Patented Nov. 29 1927.

UNITED STATES RALPH I. SIKIJTNER, 033 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR'TO SKINNER AUTOMOTIVE ,PATENTPO OFFICE. v

DEVICE (30., INQ, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

vAPPARATUS FOR PURIFYING LUBRICATING OIL.v

Application filed August 9, 1924. Serial No. 731,236.

My invention relates to certain features of improvement and novelty in the construction and manner of functioning of separator traps or rectifiers, such as are used, for example, in association withhinternal-combustion engines or motors to reclaim or purify mixtures of gaseous and liquid fluids drawn off from the motor, andpurified in such tank or rectifier, the reclaimed fuel and other gases and vapors flowing into the intake-manifold of the motor for consumption therein and the separated and purified lubricant being returned intermittently to the lubricating system of the motor.

This invention pertains more particularly to the means for heating the tank or a portion thereof to aid in the vaporization or gasification of some of the ingredients of the mixture and to the automatic control of the action of the heating means whereby to prevent an undue rise in temperature of the lubricant.

Another feature of the invention, resides in the combination and cooperation of the automatic controlling means with the other instrumentalities of the appliance.

To enable those'skilled in this art to have a full and complete understanding of the invention both from structural and func- 'tional standpoints, in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specifica- Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-section on,

tion, a desirable and preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in detail, and throughout the several views of these drawings like reference characters have been employed to designate the same parts.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical, central section through the improved oil purifying apparatus;

line 2-2 of Figure 1, the parts being viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

' Figure 3 is a similar cross-section on line 33 of Figure 1, the parts being viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4- is a fragmentary, vertical section on line 4.--4 of Fig. 3 through the appliance and at right angles to the plane of section of Figure 1, the latter section being indicated by line 1 -1 of this Figure 4;

has fastened to it by means of screws 22,22, a lower, cylindrical storage-compartment shell or casing 23, and, by means of screws 24:, 24, an upper, cylindrical, vaporizingchamber casing or shell 25,the two. members i 23 and 25 forming complementary'parts or sections of the separating tank'as a whole.

Upstanding from the-downwardly-dished or concaved top surface 26 of the member a p i 21 are two bosses 27 and 28 of the same height which supporta cylindrical, sheetmetal cup 29 withits upright,rou'nd wall arranged concentrically with and spaced inwardly away from the side wall of the upper shell 25, the top edge of the part 29 terminating a distance below the top, slightly-domed, top wall of suchshell, as is fully shown in Figure 1.

The flat,round, bottom wall of the cup or receptacle 29 is apertured in register with a threaded cavity in the top of boss 27 and a securing screw 31 fittedwith a lock-washer extends through such aperture and coacts with the threads of the fixedly in position. 1 a

Boss 28-has a partially-threaded passage 32 extended through it and the member. 21, forming an air-discharge port from the lower storage compartment 37 into the upper separating chamber .36 insideof the cupshaped receptacle 29 and a hollow, shoulment 37 formed by the shell 23 as has been already explained.

It is to be observed that the top of the recess to hold the cup v stand-pipe 33 is some little distance above the bottom wall of the cup or receptacle 29 whereby the air and gases flowing upwardly therethrough will not interfere with the free downward passage of the liquid lubricant through its adjacent oil-port 34.

The shell 25 of the upper, separatingchamber 36 is encased in aheater-shell 38 having an entrance 39 and a discharge 41 for hot exhaust gases from the motor with which the appliance is used in order to give such separating-chamber adequate heat for distillation purposes.

The upwardly-arched top .walls of the two, nested, concentricallyarranged, cylindrical, shell members 25 and 38'are'apertured. to receive a headed, hollow bolt or connection 42 which by its bottom flange or small head .supports a sheet-metal. cup 43 inside of the companion cup 29. with its lower edge some distance above the bottom wall of the larger, enclosing cup, the two interfitting cups constituting barriers and formingla tortuous passage inside of the heated separating-chamber.

. A. nut 44 on the externally threaded part of the fastener 42 holds the three elements 43, 25, and 38, together in therelation described and fully shown, and the member 42 connects with a pipe 45 connnunicating with the intake-manifold of the motoror with any other suitable means for producing a a downwardly-opening air-inlet port 47 supplied with a lateral extension 48 opening through the side of part 21 to the outer atmosphere, such port 47 being normally closed by a downwardly-closing valve 49.

The division wall also has another port 51 therethrough controlled by an upwardlyclosing valve 52 having a loose connection with or sliding connection through a hole in the end portion of a two-metal or duplex thermostatic bar 53 fastenedat its other end by means of a screw 54 on the top of a ledge 55 constituting part of the division wall casting 21, the top end of the stem of valve 52 having ahead 56 larger in diameter than the hole through the thermostatic bar and hence limiting the descent of the valve, the construction being such that, when the thermostatic element becomes heated by the oil after the latter is hot it flexes downwardly, thus permitting the valve to descend and open the port, yet if conditions are right, as explained hereinafter, the valve may close by reason of upward suction action thereon even though under heat the thermostatic bar is bent down which would otherwise cause the valve to bein open position.

To regulate the temperature at which the thermostatically-controlled valve will open, a screw 57 is extended downwardly through a hole in the bar 53 and threaded'into a screw-threaded cavity 58 in wall 21 and between the top face of the latter and the under "face of the thermostatic bar a spring 59 is interposed encircling the screw.

The turning o-f'this adjustment screw puts more orless of an original or initial bend or flexure in thebar thus modifying the temperatures at which the valve will open and close. U i

A lever-.61fulcrumedat 62 onthe underside of the division wall casting has an aperture accommodating the depending shank or stem 63 ot' air-inlet valve 49 which is equipped with comparatively widely spaced shoulders 64 and 65 on opposite sides of the lever, whereby the movements of the latter will transmit hammerblows to the shoulders either to open or close the valve.

Lever 61 also has a hole accommodating the double shouldered stem 66. of an upwardly-closing air-escape valve 67 coacting with port 32 and in addition such lever has a hole receiving the single-shouldered shank 67Foi an upwardly-closing valve 68 cooperating with the oil-port 34, the construction being such that when the lever rocks upwardly it positively closes the two ports and 34 by their valves and positively opens the air-inlet port 47, 48, by .its valve 49, but when the lever swings down it positively opens the air-discharge port 32 and similarly closes air-inlet port 47, 48, but the port 84 may remain closed by its valve 68 so long as the pneumatic conditions in the tank requireit. r Y i Another opp0sitely arranged lever 71 is also fulcrumed at 62 and laterally extended arms on the two levers are connected to gether by a pair of coil, contractile springs 72 adapted to pass by the, fulcrum the levers are rocked all as is well understood to secure a quick snap action of the valve operating parts.

Lever 71 is limited as to, its rocking movementsby means of opposed shoulders 73 and 74 on the casting 21 and which the extreme end of the lever overlaps.

A link 75 connects lever 71 to a roclcarm 76 hinged to the casting 21 at ,77-such arm being pivotally connected at 78 to a float 79 in the storage-compartment 37 and encircled by a coil ruidespring 81.

The bottom of shell 23 and its compartment 37 is supplied with a pipe fitting having an upwardly-closing ball check-valve 82 and such fitting'by a pipe, not shown, is connected to the oil supply system or other part of the lubricating system of the motor,

whereby when theJball-valve is open, the oil in'the compartment is delivered back to the motor, the opening movement otthe ball,

ture of oil, gases, vapors and air, drawn oil from thcmotor and delivered into the separating chamber should be retained therein a suflicient length of time until adequate heat is developed and-imparted thereto to vaporize or volatilize their gasifiable or vaporizableconstituents, but the structure should be automatically governed and controlled so that excess heat will not be imposed on such liquids when the parts have all become well heated under the running of the motor.

1 Accordingly, started the parts will he in the positions shown in the several views of the drawings, valves 52 and 49being closed and valves (3"? and 68 beingopen.

As the liquidsare delivered into the separating chamber through the inlet 46 they accumulate therein and their top level gradually ascends in the annular heating space between the spaced cylindrical walls of the parts 29 and 25. r

Of course the gases, vapors and air flow otl' through the pipe 45, their entrain d liquids being expelled therefrom as they pass around the bends of the circuitous passage through the separating chambeiythe walls of the parts 29 and 43 constituting barriers. I 7

Thus we areassured that all oil which overflows into the cup 29 and then passes down through the open port '34 into the lower storage compartment 37 has been subjected to adequate distilling heat because it has been compelled to How slowly upwardly r in contact with the inner wall of the. surrounding hot exhaust-gas jacket.

This insures that all such oilhas been freed from its vaporizable and gasitiable in gredients due to its simultaneous subjection to heat and sub-atmospheric pressure.

The oil accumulates in the manner speci lied, in the space indicated because the cross-section of the latter is much larger than the caliber or area of the inlet-port 4b" and the pipev associated therewith; or stated somewhat differently, the suction or subatmospheric pressure present is sutlieient to carry along the contaminated lubricating oil with the gases through the pipe-leading to the separating chamber, but in the latter, owing to its greater cross-section, it is insufficient to carry along the oil andthis therefore accumulates in the way stated.

If, upon starting the'cold motor, the oil were permitted to accumulate immediately when the motor is first in the annular heating space between the two shells, the exhaust gases might not heat up'the parts sufiiciently rapidly to heat all liquids properly before some would everflow inwardly into thercup 29 and accordingly a substantial space is provided below the receptacle 29 and the heatingshell 38 to accommodate the liquids drawnoil' tromthe motor until the exhaust gases haveheated the jacket adequately, whereupon the liquids accumulate and lillup the heating space;

Thus we are reasonably sure that no improperly or inadequately heated oil can'lind its way into the cup and from thence into the lower storagecompartment.

As soon as correct heat'conditions have been attained, and the motor and the separating chamber are properlyheated, 'it will no longer be desirable to heat the oil in the chamber, as it will be at adequate temperature as withdrawn from themotor, and the thermostatic bar, which is itself immersed in the oil in the tank, bends downwardly due to the heat of the oil and permits valve'52 to open under its own weight and-that of the oil above it, but it is to'be'remembered that at this time an equal suhat1nospheric pressure is present in both chamber 36 and compartment 37.

The heated oil, purified under partial vacuum by distilling off the objectionable diluents, gradually collects or becomes stored in compartment 37, discharge valve 82 being closed under the assumed condition of the apparatus, because oft-he atmospheric pres sure below it and the sub-atmospheric pressu're above it, and when the float therein reaches a predetermined point in its ascent, it causes the quick closing of valves 67 and 68 and the opening of valve v49. I

This creates atmospheric pressure in com- 'iartment 37, without interrupting or upsetting the sub-atmosphericpressure in chamber 36, resulting in valve 82 dropping to open position due to the weight ofthe oil above "it and to the balanced atmospheric pressures on its two sides. 1

It should be observed that valve 52 auto: matically closes under these conditions it it were previously open, due to thegreater pneumatic pressure below it, overcoming the head of oilabove it, even though the thermostatic bar 53 is flexed to permit'its opening, because of the loose or sliding connection between the valve and the bar.

As the oil level in compartment 37 descends during the oil discharge, the float finally reaches a low position where it actuates the spring snap mechanism quickly simultaneously closing valve 49 and opening valve 67, both by hammer blows of the lever or arm 61. r I

Oil-valves 68 and 52 remain closed, how-A ever, owing to theirxloose connections with the members 61 and-53, respectively, until Ill) reduced or subnormal atmospheric pressure both valves open because of balanced pneumatic pressures'on their opposite sides, assuming, of course, that the thermostatic bar 53 is downwardly bent to permit such opening of valve 52.

- All of the parts are now in the positions which they originally occupied and the appliance will function in the manner well understood.

Of course, upon the subsequent collection of a substantial body of oil in the compartment 87, the parts of the mechanism will be again operated as described to obtain its delivery back to the motor.

Many minor mechanical changes may be incorporated in the appliance presented without departure from the invention as defined by the appended claims and without the sacrifice of any of its material advantages.

I claim:- f

1. In an apparatus for purifying lubricating oil, the combination of an oil-refining chamber having an inlet-port, a discharge-port for gases and vapors, and two oil-delivery ports, means to heat said chamher, a thermostat in said chamber, a valve coacting with one of said oil-delivery ports and governed by said thermostat, a mechanically -operated valve coacting with said other oil-delivery port, and means causing the oil traversing said chamber to be subjected to the action of said heating means when said thermostatically-controlled valve is closed and to be substantially free from such heating action when such valve is open.

2. In an apparatus for purifying lubricating oil, the combination of a structure having an upper'oil-refining chamber with an inlet-port, a discharge'port for gases and vapors, and two oiledelivery ports connecting said chamber with a lower storage-compartment, the entrances to said two oilports i'n'said chamber being at different elevations, means to heat said chamber, a thermostatically-controlled valve coacting with that one of said oil-delivery portshaving thelower entrance, and a mechanicallyoperated valve governing the other oil-delivery port.

3. In an apparatus for purifying lubricating oil, the combination of a structure having an upper oil-refining chamber. with an inlet-port, a discharge port for gases and vapors, and'two oil-delivery ports connecting with a lower storage-compartment, the entrances'for said oil-delivery ports being at different elevations in said chamber, means to heat said chamber, a valve'coacting with one of said oil-delivery ports, a thermostat in the lower portion of said chamber controlling said valve, a. valve coacting with the other oil-delivery port, a float in said storage-compartment, means actuated by said float to control said last-mentioned valve at least in part, and means causing the oil traversing said chamber to be subjected to the action of said heating means when said thermostatically-controlled valve is closed and to be substantially free'from such heating action'when such valve is open.

4. In an apparatus for purifying lubricatingoil, the combination of a structure having an upper oil-refining chamber with an inlet-port, a'discharge-port for gases and vapors, and two oil-delivery ports and an air-port connecting said chamber with a lower storage-compartment, the entrances for said two oil-ports being at diiferent elevations in said chamber, means to heat said chamber, a valve coacting with that one of said oil-delivery ports with the lower on trance, a thermostat in the lower portion of said chamber controlling the action of said valve, a float in said storage-compartment, a valve actuated at least in part by said float controlling said-other oil-port, and means causing the oil traversing said chamber to be subjected to the action of said heating means when said thermostaticallycontrolled valve is closed and to be substantially free from said heating action when such valve is open.

5. In an apparatus for purifying lubricating oil, the combination of an upper separating-chamber having an inlet port and a discharge port for gases and vapors, a lower storage-compartment having an oil-delivery means therefrom, a division-wall separating said chamber and compartment, a receptacle above said division-wall with its side wall spaced inwardly away from the corresponding wall of said separating-chamber, a heat ing jacket encasing said separating-chamber, said division-wall having a first oil-port and an air-port therethrough connecting said receptacle and compartment, a second oil-port therethrough connecting said chamber and compartment, a thermostatically-controlled valve governing said second oil-port, said compartment having an air-inlet port, valves to control said air-port, air-inlet port, and first oil-port, a float in said compartment, and connecting means whereby said float actua-tes said last three-mentioned valves at least in part.

6. In an apparatus for purifying lubricating oil, the combination of an upper separating-chamber having an inlet port and a discharge port for gases and vapors, means to heat said separating chamber, a lower storage-compartment having an oil-de livery means therefrom, said apparatus having an oil-port connecting said chamber and compartment, a valve to open and close said oil-port, and thermostatic means having a loose connection with said valve to operate the latter at least in part, the valve being capable of remaining closed under certain pneumatic pressure conditions, even though the thermostatic means would otherwise permit it to open.

7. In an apparatus for purifying lubrieating oil, the combination of an upper separating-chamber having an inlet port and a discharge port for gases and vapors, a lower storage-compartment having an oil-delivery means therefrom, a receptacle in said chamber with its side wall spaced inwardly away from the corresponding wall of said chamher, a heating jacket encasing said separating-chamber, said tank having a first oilport and. an air-port connecting said receptacle and compartment and a second oilport connecting said chamber and compartment, a valve to open and close said second oil-port, thermostatic means having a loose connection with said valve to operate the latter at least in part, the valve being capable of remaining closed under certain pneumaticpressure conditions even though the thermostatic means would otherwise permit it to open, said compartment having an airinlet port, a valve for said first oil-port, a

valve for said air-port, a valve for said airinlet port, a float in said compartment, and connecting means whereby said float actuates said last-three-mentioned valves.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RALPH L. SKINNER. 

